This Week in Workouts

Week 2 of working out since the baby! The weather has been crazy lately! It is the rainy season but it also feels pretty hot and dry most of the time. Thankfully we get rain every time we workout so its a nice cool down. Ive decided to take this past week as my last walk week and start to try and jog some this next week. I need to build my endurance if Im ever going to train for a 1/2!
Im still also waiting on my stroller piece to use with Baby Js carseat.


Monday: 5 mile
Tuesday: 5.6 mile
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 4.02 miles
Friday: 4.3 miles

Hopefully next week Ill have my piece and can start running!!

Pile on the Miles 2012

For the past 3 years Monica from Run, Eat, Repeat has hosted Pile on the Miles. Runners from all over have taken part in this challenge every year and this year Ill be joining them! This is just another step  towards completing my first half marathon and marking off an item on my bucket list! This isnt about who's running more or who is faster, its more about challenging yourself to go farther than you have in previous months! So from Nov.1 to Dec.1 Ill be aiming for my goal and hopefully passing my 60 miles that I've set for myself. Heres more info on what its all about!

eage on the spreadsheet below

Who: Everyone is invited to join

What: Online challenge to walk or run more during turkey month.

When: November 1 – December 1. Winners announced Dec 2nd.

Where: Sign up and Update your weekly mil

Why: To challenge yourself and encourage others to move more. This isn’t about weight loss or distance – it’s about doing a little extra this month.

Click HERE to sign up and read more about POTM 2012

Safe Postpartum Running

Now that I am back to working out (almost 2 weeks in!) Ive been thinking about what I want to accomplish in the next year. I have my 6 month and 1 year goals but the one I am most wanting to start preparing for is a 1/2 marathon. I have done countless 5ks and love them but Im ready to challenge myself! I want to properly train for it and feel like I did everything I could in order to do my best.
I've been looking at some training programs but haven't found one that I'm going to go with.

I prefer to run with a jogger. This gets you and baby out and adds resistance-especially going up hills!
Here are some tips for safely running after pregnancy and with a jogger!

• Recovery: After giving birth its important to be cleared for exercise by your doctor. 
• Age of infant: If you are not using a car seat attachment your baby should be at least 6 months old when running with a jogger. 
• Pack accordingly: Bring items for the baby just incase you have to change or feed. Depending on the weather- bring extra water, blankets, sunscreen, snacks. If its raining bring a cover. 
• Safety: Baby should be securely strapped in seat. Stay clear of busy roads (especially when wearing headphones) and unsafe areas.
• Ease into it: Whether you ran while pregnant or are just starting out, taking your time to build you endurance back up will take time. Don't expect to run 5 miles the first day! Find a plan and have patience! 
• Sole Sisters: Most cities have running groups like that you can join or find some friends to jog with around your neighborhood. Having support and accountability is the key to success! 

Some great running sites:

• Beginners
• Couch to 5k program
• 5k, 10k, Marathon
• Stroller Strides

A little Tri

I have always said I wanted to train for a triathlon, not actually do one, just TRAIN for one! Participating in one just seemed like too big of a goal. So when did I start training you ask? NEVER. But it was still a goal of mine that I would probably never complete. 

That was until I heard about the sprint or “mini tris” that a bunch of other Navy wives were doing. I though “I could do this!” It was a 400m swim, 6 mile bike ride, and 1.5 mile run. It seriously could not get any easier! I think I’m a pretty decent swimmer...biking is an breeze and the run...Id deal with that when it came! After being on a trainer that called for “no cardio” I was a bit behind on that part. 

When I finally talked myself into showing up for one it was one of the most nerve wracking mornings of my life. I was SOOO nervous! I figured Id be last, do the worst and go so slow I wouldn’t be able to show my face at the next one. Boy was I wrong!

Since I only knew 2 other people it was really a race against myself. This made it less stressful. I figured what the hell...I don’t know any of them so if I suck they probably won't even notice! 

The entire time I was doing the tri I stayed pretty much in the middle of the group which gave me people to keep up with (ones in front) and people to push me (ones in the back). Did that make sense?  

Everyone was so supportive and cheered each other on. I was so glad it was laid back and fun! It was hotter than hell and I was not properly hydrated (I should have started the week prior!) but it was so worth it...the tan didnt hurt either!

Here are a few shots from the first 2 I did. They are so fun and I recommend them to anyone and everyone of any skill level! It would definitely be something fun to start in your community with other moms/wives you know. Nothing serious...just have fun and get fit!

Raising an athlete

Being that my son is barely into preschool I don't know what is in store for us in the coming years but I have always spoke with Mr. M about how I want to be completely open minded about our son playing competitive sports. {Competitive as in 1 team gets a trophy because they are #1...Not where everyone gets one because "we're all winners"}
I played sports-yes, cheerleading is a sport-until I graduated and if I had gone to a sports college I would have participated. Anyways, Sports kept me in school, I knew if I wanted to play that day I had to be in school, at least part of the day!
My parents were always active: lifting, kayaking, hikes, running and diving. This gave me a good foundation to try everything under the sun.


Everything you do affects your child. Activities, food choices, game systems,

Respecting yourself

When children see you are accepting of you own body and how your treat it they will feel the same about theirs. Too many children grow up with unhealthy ideals of what perfect should be.

Positivity is key

Children don't "diet." I don't even think they should know the meaning of it. Healthy eating, better choices, or trying new things is a better approach to food.
Your kid wont be good at everything they try. They will trip, miss, pick daisies and wonder off. Keeping a level head about it and redirecting them will help them see whats important more than you screaming at them. Which lead us to:

Make things worth trying

If by chance your child does not want to go to practice find a way to make it appealing. Forcing them will cause a brick wall. They'll go but when given the option to go again wont see it as a fun occasion. They will resent you for pushing. Give them options but take a back seat. They will find where they fit and what they enjoy; they just need exposure, support, and for you to be there.

As we rebuild our home gym we have been considering a program like CrossFit Kids. I want Little M to have the best advantage while competing and CrossFit will give him this. He doesn't mind eating clean so that isnt a hurdle. "CrossFit Kids workouts consist of constantly varied, functional movements that deliver a fitness that is broad, inclusive and general and scaleable for any participant at any level."  His high energy will now be focused and give him the skills that he uses in everyday play-"pull, push, run, throw, climb, lift and jump." -CF Kids

What will your approach be?